AP Human Geography Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of resources?

Elements that have no utility

Man-made items for consumption

Natural features of the earth

Substances useful to people (correct)

What best describes renewable resources?

Man-made resources

Always available and never depleted

Produced in nature more slowly than consumed by humans

Produced in nature more rapidly than consumed by humans (correct)

Nonrenewable resources are defined as:

Produced in nature more slowly than consumed by humans (correct)

Produced in nature more rapidly than consumed by humans

Sustainable resources

Resources that can be replenished easily

What is sustainability?

The use of the earth's renewable and nonrenewable natural resources in ways that ensure resource availability in the future. Signup and view all the answers

Define biotic.

System composing of living organisms. Signup and view all the answers

Define abiotic.

System composing of nonliving or inorganic matter. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 pillars of sustainability?

Environmental, Social, Economic Signup and view all the answers

Explain the Environmental Pillar.

Having conservation, nonrenewable and renewable resources, and preservation. Signup and view all the answers

What is conservation?

Sustainable use and management of earth's natural resources to meet human needs. Signup and view all the answers

Provide examples of renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Renewable: Trees and Wildlife; Nonrenewable: Petroleum and Coal. Signup and view all the answers

What is preservation?

Maintenance of resources in their present condition with little human impact. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Economic Pillar involve?

Having natural resources; supply and demand. Signup and view all the answers

What are the 3 stable things humans rely on?

Air, Water, Food. Signup and view all the answers

Define erosion.

When soil washes or blows away. Signup and view all the answers

What is depletion of nutrients?

When plants withdraw more nutrients than natural processes can replace. Signup and view all the answers

What is cultural ecology?

The study of human-environment relationships. Signup and view all the answers

What is environmental determinism?

The physical environment causes social development. Signup and view all the answers

Define possibilism.

The physical environment may limit some human actions, but people have the ability to adjust and dominate their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What sustainable ecosystem practices were used in the Netherlands?

They used a polder and a dike. Signup and view all the answers

What is a polder?

A piece of land created by draining water from an area. Signup and view all the answers

What are dikes?

Barriers to prevent land from flooding. Signup and view all the answers

Name examples of polders and dikes.

Zuider Zee project and Delta plan project. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 characteristics of a formal region?

Common language, economic activity (production of crops), environmental property (climate). Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 characteristics of a functional region?

Node around a focal point, transportation (communications), displays economic areas. Signup and view all the answers

What are 3 characteristics of a vernacular region?

Might be of a cultural identity, emerges from people's informal sense of places, personal impressions of the place. Signup and view all the answers

Define culture.

The body of customary beliefs, material traits, and social forms. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Resources and Sustainability

Resources are substances that are useful to people, including both renewable and nonrenewable categories.
Renewable resources regenerate quickly in nature, allowing for sustainable consumption by humans.
Nonrenewable resources, like fossil fuels, are consumed faster than their natural replenishment rate, leading to depletion concerns.
Sustainability focuses on using both renewable and nonrenewable resources in a way that ensures their availability for future generations.

Biotic and Abiotic Systems

A biotic system consists of living organisms that interact within an ecosystem.
An abiotic system is made up of nonliving or inorganic components, such as soil, water, and air.

Pillars of Sustainability

The three pillars of sustainability are Environmental, Social, and Economic, which must be balanced for sustainable practices.
Environmental sustainability involves conservation and preservation of natural resources to minimize human impact.
The Economic pillar revolves around the availability and management of natural resources to satisfy supply and demand.
The Social pillar addresses the basic human needs for shelter, food, and clothing, ensuring resource allocation meets these needs.

Climate, Weather, and Physical Systems

Climate encompasses long-term atmospheric conditions, while weather refers to short-term atmospheric events.
Physical systems relevant to the Earth include the atmosphere, climate, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, each interacting with living organisms.

Ecosystems and Biodiversity

The biosphere is the fourth natural system where all living organisms exist, interacting with abiotic systems.
Ecosystems are composed of living organisms and the abiotic factors they interact with, highlighting the interdependence between life and nonliving elements.

Human Impact and Resource Management

Erosion refers to the removal of soil by natural forces, impacting land fertility.
Nutrient depletion occurs when plants extract nutrients faster than they can replenish, affecting agricultural productivity.
Cultural ecology examines the relationship between human societies and their environments.

Environmental Theories

Environmental determinism suggests that physical environments shape societal development, while possibilism argues that humans can adapt and modify their environments to overcome limitations.

Sustainable Practices in the Netherlands

The Netherlands employs polder systems, created by draining water from areas, and dikes that act as barriers to control flooding, showcasing innovative sustainable practices.

Regional Characteristics

Formal regions are defined by common characteristics such as language, economic activities, and environmental properties.
Functional regions have a central node, linked through communication and transportation networks.
Vernacular regions emerge from cultural identity and personal perceptions of an area, illustrating subjective interpretations of space.

Cultural Context

Culture is an ensemble of beliefs, material traits, and social forms that characterize a group, influencing perceptions and environments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts related to sustainability in AP Human Geography. This quiz covers important terms such as resources, renewable and nonrenewable resources, and the concept of sustainability. Perfect for students preparing for their AP exams.

AP Human Geography Flashcards - Sustainability